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Police locked out of matatu trade
President Kibaki receives the final report on police reforms from retired judge Philip Ransley on Tuesday. Photo/FREDERICK ONYANGO
In Summary
- Officers will not be allowed to carry out business amounting to conflict of interest
Police officers will be barred from engaging in the matatu or any other conflict of interest businesses if new reforms are effected.
The proposal is contained in the final draft of the Ransley report presented to President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday.
The President and Prime Minister received the report from retired judge Philip Ransley at Harambee House.
Code of ethics
The report recommends the establishment of a clear code of ethics for officers.
“Police officers will be prohibited from engaging in businesses that amount to conflict of interest, especially the matatu and towing businesses,” a statement released by the Presidential Press Service after the report hand-over said.
The final Ransley report also advises against the merger of the Administration Police and regular police, a proposal that had generated heated debate between the two units.
The report recommends the creation of a National Policing Council responsible for budgeting and resource allocation.
President Kibaki immediately ordered the payment of transfer and security operation allowance arrears which had ballooned to more than Sh400 million.
A pay and benefits review commission to look into the welfare of the police force would be set up.
“This will lead to, among others, implementation of a comprehensive medical insurance scheme immediately,” the report recommended.
Other highlights of the report include the establishment of the Kenya Police Service to be headed by an inspector-general and the Administration Police Service to be headed by a commandant-general.
The taskforce also proposed the establishment of an Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate public complaints against the police service.
“The authority should be chaired by a person of the rank of judge of the High Court and members should be drawn from fields such as human resources, financial management, corporate management and religious organisations, among others,” the PPS statement said.
The Police Service Commission will be created to deal with transfers, recruitment and promotions of officers but this will require a constitutional amendment as the force would now be reporting to a body separate from the Public Service Commission.
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The issue of Police to do biz or not doesnt matter. What matters is we get free of corruption, justice and end of impunity such that all of us are equal.The law should make sure the police they are on the right place at the right time.If ther are free to do thier biz thats fine but not when on duty roll!
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Yes, This is what kenyans wonna too see and hear. quick reforms with internal security is needed and now that Ministers are not driving the expensive cars we should also try to improve police transportation and weapons. a good pay will also make cops to act professionaly.
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HIRING of police needs alot to think of as most officers go this field for luck of jobs.Some of this officers have criminal minds that needs to be checked by experts of good conducts.If they pass this, they needs training from time to time and exams if they fail lose their jobs.Police have been abusing their job for money which have been from thier boses to the juniors. They should learn to know they are not courts to jurge and punish people before they are found guilty.
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